Politics Orrin Hatch had two statements on Rob Porter's resignation

03:27 08 february 2018

03:27 08 february 2018 Source:
CNN

Senior White House official to resign following allegations of abuse

West Wing aides spent part of Wednesday morning preparing for the fallout of Rob Porter’s departure.The official, Rob Porter, served as the staff secretary and often controlled the paper flow to President Trump’s desk, along with his daily schedule. Porter also oversaw the White House’s policy implementation process and worked closely with chief of staff John F. Kelly to try to instill discipline to the chaotic West Wing. He often spent hours of the day with Trump and frequently traveled with him on Air Force One.

Moments after Rob Porter resigned from his post as White House staff secretary on Wednesday, reporters received two very different statements from Porter ' s former boss, Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah.

Orrin G. Hatch , for whom Porter formerly served as a top aide. He announced his resignation on Wednesday, and denied the claims against him. Since Hatch had a close relationship with Porter , he issued a statement “attacking this smear campaign.”

Moments after Rob Porter resigned from his post as White House staff secretary on Wednesday, reporters received two very different statements from Porter's former boss, Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah.

White House scrambles to contain Porter fallout

Rob Porter will be out as early as Thursday, a senior White House official said Wednesday night, in another signal the West Wing is scrambling to contain the fallout over his continued employment even though officials were aware of the domestic abuse allegations against him. Porter, a top White House staffer, resigned from his position Wednesday after allegations of domestic abuse were made public by his two ex-wives. Porter has denied their allegations.A top aide to White House chief of staff John Kelly, Porter was initially defended by glowing White House statements in spite of his resignation.

Why Orrin Hatch had two statements on Rob Porter ' s resignation . When Hicks and Kelly discussed the matter on Tuesday, both agreed the White House should defend Porter , sources said.

Why Orrin Hatch had two statements on Rob Porter ' s resignation . When Hicks and Kelly discussed the matter on Tuesday, both agreed the White House should defend Porter , sources said.

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One statement offered a strong defense of Porter, while another was less robust and carried a sharply different tone as Porter faces allegations of abuse from his two former wives. Prior to working in the White House, Porter served as Hatch's chief of staff.

The Daily Mail first published allegations of physical abuse Tuesday night from Porter's second ex-wife and then later, on Wednesday, published allegations of physical and mental abuse from his first ex-wife.

Not long after the allegations came out Wednesday, Porter resigned -- though he denied the allegations in his own statement -- and the White House handed out multiple statements of support for Porter from various officials and leaders, including Hatch.

White House aide resigns amid accusations of domestic abuse

White House staff secretary Rob Porter resigned Wednesday, a day after a British newspaper reported allegations from two ex-wives of physical and verbal abuse.Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters that it was "a personal decision Rob made," and that he "will stay on to ensure a smooth transition.

Rob Porter , the White House aide resigning after being accused of domestic abuse by two ex-wives, is apparently being advised by one U. S . senator to reconsider. Senator Orrin Hatch , who Porter used to work for, defended him yesterday in a statement denouncing the “vile attack” on his character

Orrin Hatch , a Utah Republican, issued two dramatically different statements regarding allegations that his former chief of staff abused both of his ex-wives. The women publicly accused Rob Porter of engaging in a pattern of violence over a period of years.

The statement from Hatch vigorously defended Porter, saying "it's incredibly discouraging to see such a vile attack on such a decent man."

This same statement also appeared in the Daily Mail's reporting.

Here's the full statement: "It's incredibly discouraging to see such a vile attack on such a decent man. Shame on any publication that would print this—and shame on the politically motivated, morally bankrupt character assassins that would attempt to sully a man's good name. I know Rob. I've known him for years, both as a close friend and as a personal advisor. He is kind and considerate towards all. The country needs more honest, principled people like Rob Porter, which is why I hope that this cynical campaign to discredit his character ultimately fails."

At the same time, Hatch's office blasted out a different statement that said Hatch was "heartbroken" by the allegations. Hatch still described his interactions with Porter as "professional" and "respectful" but said "domestic violence in any form is abhorrent."

Maybe it’s not surprising the White House kept Rob Porter around

Domestic abusers often hide in plain sight.It’s incredible what certain kinds of men get away with.

Orrin Hatch ' s former chief of staff, Rob Porter , has been accused by his two ex-wives of physically and emotionally abusing them during their marriages. The women publicly accused Rob Porter of engaging in a pattern of violence over a period of years.

Orrin Hatch , a Utah Republican, issued two dramatically different statements regarding allegations that his former chief of staff abused both of his ex-wives. The women publicly accused Rob Porter of engaging in a pattern of violence over a period of years.

Here's the full statement: "I am heartbroken by today's allegations. In every interaction I've had with Rob, he has been courteous, professional, and respectful. My staff loved him and he was a trusted advisor. I do not know the details of Rob's personal life. Domestic violence in any form is abhorrent. I am praying for Rob and those involved."

A source familiar with the two statements said the White House started collecting statements of support for Porter on Tuesday because they knew the allegations were going to be published. Porter himself was involved in asking Hatch's office Tuesday for a statement defending him.

That's how the Daily Mail got a statement from Hatch -- the White House already had one from him.

However, an aide to Hatch said the statement was drafted before the first article came out and Hatch didn't know all the details. His office was only told there was some kind of effort underway to undermine Porter and that it would involve his marriages.

"The statement was prepared before any accusations were printed but with the understanding that his past marital troubles would be used against him," the aide said.

White House says background check for Rob Porter was never completed

"His background investigation was ongoing," Raj Shah said. "His (security) clearance was never denied, and he resigned.""His background investigation was ongoing," White House spokesman Raj Shah said of Porter, the former White House staff secretary. "His (security) clearance was never denied, and he resigned.

Porter previously worked as the chief of staff to Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) before After Porter ’ s resignation , he issued a new statement that said, in part, “I do not know the details of Rob ’s personal life. Two sources also told CBS News’s Major Garrett that Porter had not obtained full security

Porter denied the allegations in a statement issued in the wake of his resignation . "These outrageous allegations are simply false," he said in his statement . Orrin Hatch , Rob Portman and Mike Lee.

The aide said that after the second article came out Wednesday and Hatch realized the severity of the allegations, Hatch's office drafted the second statement and released it when they heard Porter resigned. Hatch personally dictated both statements, the aide said.

But Hatch's office didn't know that the White House was still going to release their old statement in support of Porter after the resignation, the aide said, so that came as a surprise to them.

Hatch later tweeted his newer statement, just to make sure it went far and wide.

Trump's press secretary, Sarah Sanders, said Hatch was at the White House for a meeting of members of the Senate Finance Committee. Hatch's spokesman confirmed that Hatch spoke to Porter at the White House on Wednesday.

"Senator Hatch spoke to Rob about his next steps and urged him to get help so that he could possibly serve the country in some capacity down the road," Hatch spokesman Matt Whitlock said in a statement. "Whether he takes leave and gets that help now or resigns to focus on making necessary changes will be up to him to work out, of course."

White House: Trump has 'absolute confidence' in John Kelly .
President Donald Trump still stands by chief of staff John Kelly after his handling of abuse allegations against a former aide, White House Director of Legislative Affairs Marc Short said Sunday. "He has absolute confidence in Gen. Kelly" Short said on "Meet The Press.""Gen. Kelly, in my mind, is an American hero," Short said, adding that Kelly also did not offer his resignation following criticism of his handling over the departure of White House staff secretary Rob Porter.Porter left the White House last week after news reports that two of his ex-wives accused him of being physically abusive.

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Moments after Rob Porter resigned from his post as White House staff secretary on Wednesday, reporters received two very different statements from Porter ' s former boss, Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah.

Orrin G. Hatch , for whom Porter formerly served as a top aide. He announced his resignation on Wednesday, and denied the claims against him. Since Hatch had a close relationship with Porter , he issued a statement “attacking this smear campaign.”

Rob Porter , the White House aide resigning after being accused of domestic abuse by two ex-wives, is apparently being advised by one U. S . senator to reconsider. Senator Orrin Hatch , who Porter used to work for, defended him yesterday in a statement denouncing the “vile attack” on his character

Orrin Hatch just made a stunning reversal on | Business Insider - www.businessinsider.com.au

Orrin Hatch , a Utah Republican, issued two dramatically different statements regarding allegations that his former chief of staff abused both of his ex-wives. The women publicly accused Rob Porter of engaging in a pattern of violence over a period of years.

Orrin Hatch ' s former chief of staff, Rob Porter , has been accused by his two ex-wives of physically and emotionally abusing them during their marriages. The women publicly accused Rob Porter of engaging in a pattern of violence over a period of years.

Orrin Hatch , a Utah Republican, issued two dramatically different statements regarding allegations that his former chief of staff abused both of his ex-wives. The women publicly accused Rob Porter of engaging in a pattern of violence over a period of years.

Porter previously worked as the chief of staff to Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) before After Porter ’ s resignation , he issued a new statement that said, in part, “I do not know the details of Rob ’s personal life. Two sources also told CBS News’s Major Garrett that Porter had not obtained full security

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